Methods using stimulation-capable drill-in and completion fluids

Abstract

Methods comprising providing a drill-in fluid including an aqueous carrier fluid, a surfactant; and a self-degradable filter cake-forming agent which includes a plurality of degradable particulates which are operable to form an acid upon degradation, and a plurality of acid-degradable particulates. Drilling a wellbore through a reservoir section of a subterranean formation with the drill-in fluid, forming a thin internal filter cake within the wellbore from the self-degradable filter cake-forming agent. Releasing an acid derivative from at least a portion of the plurality of degradable particulates, interacting the acid with the filter cake so as to at least partially degrade the acid-degradable particulates therein. Thereby at least partially removing the filter cake allowing quick lift off of the remaining particulates, and producing a hydrocarbon fluid or gas from the subterranean formation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 providing a drill-in fluid consisting of:
 an aqueous fluid; 
 a microemulsion-forming surfactant consisting of an alkyl propoxy-ethoxysulfate; and 
 a self-degradable filter cake-forming agent, the self-degradable filter cake-forming agent consisting of:
 a plurality of degradable particulates, the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to form an acid upon degradation; and 
 a plurality of acid-degradable particulates; 
 
 
 drilling a wellbore through a reservoir section of a subterranean formation with the drill-in fluid wherein the microemulsion-forming surfactant alters the wettability of a surrounding reservoir and forms a microemulsion in situ with hydrocarbons present in the subterranean formation; 
 forming an internal filter cake within the wellbore from the self-degradable filter cake-forming agent; 
 providing an in situ generated acid from at least a portion of the plurality of degradable particulates; 
 allowing the in situ generated acid to interact with the filter cake so as to at least partially degrade the filter cake such that any non-degraded portion of the filter cake is removed by lift off; and 
 producing a hydrocarbon gas from the subterranean formation. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein drilling a wellbore comprises drilling a multi-lateral horizontal wellbore system. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of degradable particulates comprises an acid-generating substance selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polylactide, a polyglycolide, a poly(e-caprolactone), a polyanhydride, a poly(orthoester), a poly(amino acid), and any combination thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of degradable particulates comprises poly(lactic acid). 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of acid-degradable particulates comprises calcium carbonate particulates. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drill-in fluid comprises between about 0.01 wt. % and about 20 wt. % of the surfactant. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drill-in fluid comprises between about 1 wt. % and about 10 wt. % of the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to form an acid upon degradation. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the drill-in fluid comprises between about 1 wt. % and about 25 wt. % of the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to form an acid upon degradation. 
     
     
       9. A method comprising:
 providing a completion fluid consisting of:
 an aqueous carrier fluid; 
 a microemulsion-forming surfactant consisting of an alkyl propoxy-ethoxysulfate; and 
 a self-degradable fluid sealing agent, the self-degradable fluid sealing agent consisting of:
 a plurality of degradable particulates, the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to release an acid upon degradation; and 
 a plurality of sized acid-degradable particulates; 
 
 
 introducing the completion fluid into an uncompleted wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation wherein the microemulsion-forming surfactant alters the wettability of a surrounding reservoir and forms a microemulsion in situ with hydrocarbons present in the subterranean formation; 
 forming a fluid seal within the uncompleted wellbore from the self-degradable fluid sealing agent; 
 performing a completion operation in the uncompleted wellbore; 
 providing an in situ generated acid from at least a portion of the plurality of degradable particulates; 
 allowing the in situ generated acid to interact with the fluid seal so as to at least partially degrade the fluid seal, thereby at least partially removing the fluid seal; and 
 producing a hydrocarbon gas from the subterranean formation. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the completion fluid penetrates into the subterranean formation from the uncompleted wellbore. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of degradable particulates comprises an acid-generating substance selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polylactide, a polyglycolide, a poly(e-caprolactone), a polyanhydride, a poly(orthoester), a poly(amino acid), and any combination thereof. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of degradable particulates comprises poly(lactic acid). 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of acid-degradable particulates comprises calcium carbonate particulates. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the completion fluid comprises between about 0.01 wt. % and about 20 wt. % of the surfactant. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the completion fluid comprises between about 1 wt. % and about 10 wt. % of the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to form an acid upon degradation. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the completion fluid comprises between about 1 wt. % and about 25 wt. % of the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to release an acid upon degradation.